There are many approaches to psychological therapy and it can be hard to know what method will be most beneficial for you. In the coming months, we will be covering different therapy techniques, outlining their defining features, and identifying who the treatment is aimed towards. The couples therapy treatment Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and its counterpart of ‘tapping’ are starting to gain more notoriety, learn more about how they work below.
Emotionally Focused Therapy or Emotional Freedom Technique
EFT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that’s primarily used in couples therapy. It was formulated in the 1980s as a strictly empirically-based treatment and has developed as the science on adult relationships and bonding has increased. Research shows that approximately three-quarters of couples engaged in EFT move from distress to recovery and 90% show significant improvement. Due to the therapy’s proven efficacy across different kinds of clients and couples with co-morbidities like depression and PTSD, it is also used for individuals with similar issues. Recent research has been conducted on couples with trauma and stressful events. Functional MRI scans have shown that EFT physically changes the way threat is perceived by the brain. These kinds of breakthroughs have led to studies with veteran couples as part of comprehensive trauma and PTSD treatment methodology.
Tapping
A component of EFT is ‘tapping’. It is a combination of Eastern medicine that accesses pressure (or meridian) points, like acupuncture, and Western psychotherapy. According to Nick Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution, “the practise consists of tapping with your fingertips on nine specific meridian points while talking through traumatic memories and a wide range of emotions.” The talk therapy of EFT accesses the stress areas of your brain on an emotional level, and tapping accesses the physical stress felt by the body. Tapping can help alleviate that in-the-moment physical craving, like the desire to smoke a cigarette. Continued EFT therapy can help address the root causes of the addiction like trauma or other emotional issues.
In conclusion, while EFT began as a couples-specific therapy, its scientifically-proven benefits have led therapists to use the same techniques for individuals struggling with trauma and/or addiction.
